Owner-occupiedComments Off on Applying for Homestead Exemptions in Texas

Jan272012

Homestead exemptions reduce your property taxes by lowering the property value the county appraisal district uses to calculate your tax bill. You may apply for a homestead exemption for a home you own and treat as your principal residence. That home can be a separate structure, condominium, or a manufactured home located on owned or leased land of up to 20 acres.

To qualify, the home must be your principal residence on January 1st of the year in which you want the exemption. If you are age 65 and older or disabled, you may qualify for an additional homestead exemption for which the January 1st requirement does not apply.

You apply for the exemption by filing an>Application for Residential Homestead Exemption with your county appraisal district. You may apply up to one year after the taxes are due (generally January 31st of each year). Once you receive the exemption, you do not need to reapply unless the appraisal district sends you a new application.

There is NO fee for applying for a homestead exemption, and the process is very simple. Beware of companies offering to process your application for a fee. Their offers may come in official-looking envelopes, but they are scams. Again, filing for a homestead exemption is FREE.